Are we there yet??: San Francisco

Our RV park was handily placed near the rapid transit rail system into the city and we were surrounded by a collection of long term residents in shabby RVs that will never move again. At least these people had a roof – many in SF do not and it has been sad to see so many homeless sleeping on the streets in every major city we have been to. However, this location was perfect for us – quiet and cheap!

San Francisco is well known for its hills and over the four days we were there we hiked or bike over nearly every one of them!! We took the ferry to Sausalito then cycled back across the Golden Gate bridge. It was a great experience, but a little hair-raising due to the lycra clad bike-bullies treating the narrow path full of tourists as a race track. New Plymouth coastal walkway is tame by comparison! The bridge is extraordinary and the views of the harbour and city fantastic.

It was the third Sunday of May, the day of the annual ‘bay to breakers’ run - when San Franciscans dress up to run from Embarcadero to the Pacific Ocean, then party and picnic in Golden Gate park. There were all manner of costumes, including one gentleman strolling down the main path dressed only in his birthday suit.

Of course we did the tourist thing by sampling the wares on Fisherman’s Wharf, wandered around Chinatown and tried out the trams. During one of our forays the road ahead was blocked by police and security, cars were diverted and trams halted. A posse of black limousines and vans, flanked by motorcycle outriders drove past and pulled up at a nearby hotel. Barak Obama was in town - but in which vehicle we will never know!

San Francisco was great fun, but our next adventure was calling – a 4-day music festival on the edge of Yosemite National Park. We had been warned about variable spring weather so kitted ourselves out with stylish $4 plastic pants and jackets ... a good move as it turns out!